Utility control



Oct. 21 1924- J. W. SHAW UTILITY CONTROL Filed Feb. 14, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 JUT'LTL W El haw (frown-15 Oct. 21 1924. 1,512,642

I J. w. SHAW UTILITY CONTROL Filed Feb. 14, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 7 l5 2] j E flay 26 [e4 a5 33 4 5 up: 3 J D1111. W- 511 aw Patented Oct. 21, 1924.

JOHN w. gnaw, or new ORLEANS, LOUISIANA.

UTILITY CONTROL.

Application filed February 14, 1922. Serial No. 536,474.

To aZZ whom it play concern:

Be it known that I, JoHN V. SHAW, a citizen of the United States. residing at New Orleans, in the parish of Orleans and State of Louisiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Utility Controls, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to feed control devices for burners and the primary object of the invention is to provide an improved device which will automatically control the supply of fuel to oil burners utilized in the production of heat, and particularly to burners of the type used under steam boilers.

Another object of the invention is to provide an automatic feed control for b'jurners, in which the supply of fuel is controlled by the steam pressure of the boiler acting against bodies of predetermined weight, which are operatively connected to the supply valves, in contra-distinction to the types of automatic feed control devices embodying springs or diaphragms, which are objectionable for a number of reasons, some of which are, hard to adjust by the ordinary layman or fireman; necessity of adjusting independently the oil and the air or steam valves; likelihood of springs losing their tension, and the fact that these devices are of highly complicated form and bulky in nature, prohibiting the convenient attachment thereof to a boiler.

further object of the invention is to provide an improved automatic feed control device for burners, in which both the oil and the steam or air valves will be positively and simultaneously operated, thereby insuring the proper and instant adaptation of the mixture or the product being burned, thus preventing improper combustion, which is the main cause of smoke. such control tending to save fuel by said proper mixture of the oil and steam or air.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved automatic feed con trol in which the oil control valve and the air or steam control valve can be simultaneously and quickly adjusted, thereby permitting the correct feed of the mixture to the burners.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for permitting the adjustment of the width of the valve opening or port in the control steam or. air valve, whereby the proper ratio of the steam or air to the oil can be had, which is best suited for the type of burner or furnace with which the control is connected.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved automatic feed con trol device for burners of the above character, which is durable and efiicient in use, one that is simple and easy to manufacture, and one which is of relatively. light weight and of compact nature to permit the same to be conveniently attached to a burner or boiler. 4

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction arrangement and formation of parts, as will be hereinafter more specifically described, claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. forming a part of this specification, in which drawings:

Figure 1 is a central vertical longitudinal section through the improved automatic control taken on the line 11 of Figure 2.

Figure 2 is a vertical transverse section through the improved control, taken on the line 2 2 of Figure 1. V

F igure 3 is a central horizontal section through the improved automatic control, taken on the line 3- -3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary detail vertical section through portion of the control taken on the line l2t of Figure 1, illustrat i112 the control valve for the'oil. i

Figure 5 is a detail horizontal section taken on the line 55 of Figure 1. c il Figure 6 is afragmentary horizontal section taken on the line G-6 of Figure 2.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the improved device, parts thereof being shown in section.

Figure 8 is a detail perspective view of one section of an adjustable port-ion of the steam or air valve.

Figure 9 is a detail perspective view of the companion section of the adjustable portion of the steam or air valve.

Figure 10 is a detail perspective view of the body portion of the steam or air valve.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the letter A indicates the frame of the improved device; the valve head; C, the oil control valve; D, the air or steam control valve; E, the means for con trolling the size of the port in the air or steam control valve D for controlling the ratio of the oil and steam or air supplied; F, the simultaneous adjusting means for the valves C and D; G, the supporting piston v slidably carried by the valve head; and H.

recesses 19, which are adapted to register with internally threaded openings 20 formed in the bottom cross bar 17. These aligned threaded recesses and openings 19 and 20 are adapted to receive cap screws 21 or the cross bar can be connected to the side bars in any other preferred way. The cross head 16 can have the central portion thereof enlargeu as at 22, if so desired, in order to form an enlarged supporting face for the weights H, as will be hereinafter more fully described.

The valve head or body B is cast and machined as a single unit, and the opposite side edges thereof are provided with guide grooves 23 for the reception of the side guide bars 15, in order to permit the frame A to slide freely thereon, the purpose of which will also be hereinafter more fully described. The head or valve body B is bored vertically on opposite sides of the vertical center thereof to provide valve chambers 24 and 25, and the valves C and D are reciprocably mounted in said chambers. As clearly shown in the drawings, the valve chambers 24 and.25 extend inwardly from the lower surface of the valve head or body B. The central portion of the valve chamber 2 1 has communicating therewith the transversely extending inlet and outlet passageways 26 and 27 and-these passageways may be provided with internal threads 28 for the reception of the oil feed pipes 26' and 27. T he valve chamber 25 has also communicating therewith at the central portion thereof the transversely extending inlet and outlet passageways 29 and 30 and these passageways may also be. provided with internal threads for the reception of the feed pipes 29 and 30" for the steam or air. These pipes for the oil and the steam or air form the means for supporting the valve body B. It is of course, apparent that the oil feed pipe leading to the passage 26 may extend from any suitable oil supply reservoir, and the pipe leading from the passageway 27 may extend directly to the burner or to a mixing pipe. The pipe leading to the inlet passageway 29 w s L I may extend from any suitable source of in relation to each other.

steam supply from the boiler or from any suitable air reservoir and the pipe leading from the outlet passageway 30 may extend directly to the burner or to a mixing pipe to which the pipe from the outlet passage-- way 27 extends.

The central portion of the valve body B intermediate the chambers 24. and 25 is provided with a downwardly and inwardly extending bore or piston chamber 31, and this chamber slidably receives the piston (i, which will be hereinafter more fully described.

The oil control valve C includes a cylindrical valve body 33, which snugly his the chamber 24 and the valve body is provided with a relatively narrow diametrically ex tending port 34, which is adapted to establish communication between the inlet and outlet passageways 26 and 27. The lower end of the valve body 3?) is provided with a valve stem 35, which extends through a suitable packing gland 36 carried by the valve body or head B and this gland closes the lower end of the chamber 24.

The valve D for controlling the flow of steam or air includes a cylindrical body 37 and this body is provided with a diametrically extending guide way 38 and a diametrically extending valve way or port 39. The valve way or port 39 is disposed at right angles to the guide way 38, and in the guide way 38 is disposed the adjusting means I) for controlling the ratio of steam or air to the oil. The valve body o7 has its lower end provided with ahollow valve stem 40, which protrudes through a packing gland 411. As clearly shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, the diameter of the valve chamber 25 is greater than the diameter of the valve chamber 2 1, so that the valve body 37 can be made relatively large in order to acconn module the adjusting means E which will now be described.

he valvc adjusting means E comprises a pair of companion valve sections 1-2 and 43, and these sections are slidably mounted in the guide way 38 for relative movement These valve sections l2 and 43 are provided with valve ports 5 1 and do which are adapted to control the effective size of the valve way of port 39 formed in the valve body 37 of the control valve D. The valve section 42 is provided with a guide groove 4-6 while the valve section 13 is provided with a guide lug 4-7 adapted to slidably lit within the groove 46.

The lower ends of the valve sections 42 and 41-3 are reduced in width and provided with rack faces 18 and 4-9, and these faces are adapted to mesh with a pinion 50, which is secured in any preferred manner to an operating rod 51, which extends through the tubular valve stem 40. The lower end of the operating, rod 51 is provided with a hand wheel 52, which may have its periphery notched or toothed, and this notched or toothed periphery is adapted to be engaged by a locking spring 53 for holding the operating rod against movement after the desired adjustment has been ob tained between the valve sections 42 and 13. The width of the valve ways or ports 44 and 45 and the valve sections 42 and 43 are greater than the width of the valve port 341- formed in the valve body '33 of the control valve C, but the active length of these valve ways is the same. It can be readily seen that by turning the wheel 52, the valve sections 42 and 43 can be adjusted in relation to each other so as to open or close the valve way or port 39 within certain lii-nits. This permits the desired .ratio of oil and steam or .air to be had, Which is best suited tor the boiler orwburner with which the improved control is used.-

The improved adjusting means F for permitting the simultaneous adjustment of the control valves C and D in chambers 24 and 25 consists of a cross head to which the valve stems 35 and 40 are secured in any preferred manner. The central portion of the cross head 60 is providedwith an enlarged central body portion 61 which is provided with a de 'aending threaded rod 62 and this rod is extended through the central portion of the connecting cross bar 17.

The lower face of this cross bar 17 can be provided with a .guide way 63 for the reception of a turn nut 64, which can be threaded upon the threaded rod 62. It is obvious that by turning the nut 64, the cross head 60 can be raised or lowered and consequently slide the valves C and D within their valve seats. The enlarged body portion 61 of the cross head 60 also carries a limit bolt 65, which can be raised or lowered, by means of a turn nut 66, which also may be mounted in a suitable guide way 67 which can be formed on the upper face of the cross head 60. By raising and lowering the limit bolt 65, the limit of the movement of the frame A. in relation to the valve head or body B can be regulated.

The supporting piston G includes a solid body 70, which is slidably mounted within the cylinder 31 heretobefore stated, and this piston body 70 slidably extends through a gland 71 which closes the upper end of the cylinder. The; upper end of the piston body 70 is provided with a stem 7 2, which extends through the top cross head or conneoti-ng bar 16 and it can be threadably connee-ted thereto if desired. An annular shoulder 73 can also be formed on the stem 72 for engaging the lower face of the connecting cross head 16 if so desired. By this connection, it is obvious that the piston 70 moves with the frame A in relation to the valve head or body B. The lower end of the cylinder 31 has communicating therewith an inlet steam passageway 74, and this passageway may be provided with internal threads 75 for the reception of a steam supply pipe 74-. which is preferably lead from some suit able point of the boiler from which a good steady supply of steam can always be obtained. The lower face of the piston body 70 preferably has an area equal to a determined fraction of one square inch.

The weight H is preferably formed in sections and each of these sections can be of a predetermined weight and are provided with; central openings 81, through which the piston stem or rod 7 2 is adapted to protrude. The valve chambers 24 and 25 can be provided with by-passages 83 if so desired.

In installing the improved control the same is held in place by pipes of sufficient size and shape to insure least resistance to liquid and vapor and extend from the outlet passage ways 27 and 30 of the oil and steam supply Ways and from the inlet ways 26 and 29. A steam pipe is connected to the passageway 74 as heretobefore stated.

VVit'h the burner installed in the boiler, and the improved control setting just outside of the front wall of the boiler and the boiler pipes and fittings connected, the control is ready for use and can be put into operation provided the boiler is under steam. The adjusting means E is then operated so that a. desired ratio of oil and steam can be had which is best suited for the burner. If the boiler with which the control is associated is not under steam, the burner can be fired by hand until the steam pressure is brought to the desired point at which regulation is desired. How-ever, once the control is installed and the valves adjusted with respect to the load, the control will efiectively eliminate the necessity of firing the boiler by hand, and if a battery of boilers are used in line and it is desired to cut a boiler in on the line, the necessity of firing this boiler by hand is eliminated, as the steam could be lead from another boiler to the control. In placingthe control into service, the first operation would be to place upon the piston stem or rod 72 the weight 80 corresponding to the desired regulating pressure, say for instance, that it is desired to maintain steam pressure at 125 pounds per square inch, the ratios equivalent in dead weight of 125 pounds is then placed upon the weight stem or piston rod 72.

The valves in the pipe line supplying the oil and steam to the valve head 13 are now open, but the valve in the control steam pressure line is closed temporarily. The burner is then lighted and by means of the adjustingnut 64, the fire is regulated to carry the boiler load and obtain proper combustion.

When the pressure in the boiler being fired has reached 125 lbs. per square inch by the gauge, it is merely necessary to allow the steam to enter the passageway 74. to act upon the piston which supports the weights 80. Now, it can be seen that when the pressure rises or falls, the frame A and the weights 50 will be raised or lowered, thus permit-ting less or more oil and steam to the burners.

\Vhile getting up pressure in the boiler, the limit bolt is adjusted by means of the nut 66, so as to lock the mechanism so that the improved control cannot function. This is the situation with the apparatus while firing a boiler and using control steam pressure from another boiler already under pressure. When the pressure in the boiler being fired has reached one hundred and twentyfive pounds per square inch by the gauge, and before the boiler is cut in, the limit bolt (35 is adjusted so as to be below the valve body or head B and the boiler can now be cut in on the line.

The improved control contains numerous advantages which will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art, and in the improved device, no elaborate piping system is needed and no tools are necessary besides the engineers own hand to make adjustment. The adjustment can be quickly and easily made as the same is in plain view of the operator at all times and the amount of valve opening or closure may be readily determined. The device requires a minimum amount of repair and upkeep when once regulated practically requires no attention at all, other than a few drops of oil at regular intervals. The improved device is also so constructed as to permit ac cess toall parts thereof to be readily had and it is obvious that the improved control can be easily taken down as the two cap screws 21 are the only means for holding the improved control in assembled position. Owing to the extreme simplicity of the improved device, uneducated or non technical labor may effectively operate the control, and it can be seen that the control is as simple as it is compact and practical.

'It also can be noted that the improved control is practically a safety valve for boilers as the boiler is never permitted to exceed a predetermined pressure and the improved device will be invaluable in many industries which will readily suggest themselves to persons skilled in the art.

Changes in details may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention; but,

I claim:

1. In a control for liquid fuel burning apparatus, a valve head having steam and oil ports, control valves for said ports slidablv mounted in the head, a frame slidably mounted upon the head, means connecting the valves with the frame, weights carried by the frame for yieldably resisting sliding of the frame in one direction, and steam actuated means for sliding the frame against the action of the weights.

2. In a control for liquid fuel burning apparatus. a valve head having steam and oil ports, control valves for said ports slidably mounted in the head, a frame slidably associated with the head, said head having a central chamber therein, a piston slidably mounted within the chamber, means connecting the piston with the frame for supporting said frame, means connecting the valves with the frame to cause opening and closing of the valves when the frame slides, a steam passageway communicating with the piston chamber for steam to move the piston and slide the frame upwardly, and weights carried by said frame for preventing movement of the frame by the steam until the steam has reached a predetermined pressure.

3.111 a control for liquid fuel burning apparatus, a valve head having steam and oil ports, control valves for said ports slidably mounted in the head, a frame slidably associated with the head, means connecting the said valves with the frame for causing opening and closing of the valves when the frame slides, the steam valve being provided with adjusting means for permitting adjustment thereof independent of the oil valve, a piston chamber in said head, a piston reeiprocably mounted in said piston chamber, a steam passageway communicating with the piston chamber, means connecting the piston with the frame to cause sliding of the frame when the piston is moved by steam pressure, and weights carried by the frame to prevent sliding of the frame in one direction until the steam reaches a predetermined pressure.

4. In a control for liquid fuel burning apparatus, a valve head having a )air of valve chambers disposed therein, an a central piston chamber, said valve head having inlet and outletpassageways communicating with the opposite sides of the valve chambers and a steam inlet communicating with the piston chamber, an oil control valve slidably mounted in one of said valve chambers, and a steam control valve slidably mounted within the other valve chamber, each of said valves having ports therein, a piston reciprocably mounted within the piston chamber, a frame slidably mounted upon said valve head and connected. with the piston to cause sliding of the frame when the piston is moved in one direction by steam under ressure, means for preventing sliding o the frame by the piston in the said direction until the steam reaches a predetermined pressure, and means for adjusting the size of the port in said steam control valve whereby the ratio of the oil and steam passing through the valves can be regulated.

5. In a control for liquid fuel burning apparatus, a valve head, a steam control valve and an oil control valve slidably mounted Within the head controlling the passage of steam and oil through said head, a frame slidably mounted on said head, means connecting said valves with the frame, a piston chamber formed in the head having a steam passageway communicating therewith, a piston movable in said chamber and connected with the frame, and means carried by the frame preventing movement of the frame by the piston until the pressure of the steam in said piston chamber reaches a predetermined amount.

6. In a control for liquid fuel burning apparatus, a valve head having steam and oil valve chambers therein and provided with inlet and outlet ports, an oil control valve and a steam control valve each having a port therethrough and slidably mounted in their respective chambers, a frame slidably supported by the valve head, the valve head having a piston chamber therein, and a steam passageway communicating with the piston chamber, a piston slidably mounted in the piston chamber and extending through the upper end of the valve head and connected with the frame to cause upward movement of the frame when the piston is moved upwardly by steam pressure in the piston chamber, weights carried by the piston and frame, a cross head having the valves connected therewith, and means adjustably connecting the cross head with the frame whereby said valves may be simultaneously adjusted when the frame is stationary.

7. In a control for liquid fuel burning apparatus, a valve head having a pair of inwardly extending valve chambers formed therein, inlet and outlet passageways communicating with the opposite sides of the chambers, an oil control valve and a steam control valve reciprocably mounted in their respective chambers, each having a valve port extending thereth'rough for establish- 1 ing communication between the inlet and outlet passageways, the head also having a piston chamber therein, a steam passage communicating with said piston chamber, a piston reciprocably mounted in said chamber, the opposite sides of the head having guide grooves formed therein, a frame including an upper cross head, integral side bars slidably mounted in said grooves, and a removable connecting cross bar, the piston being connected with the upper cross head, and having a stem extending above the upper cross head, weights mounted upon said stem and resting upon said cross head, a valve cross head, means connecting the control valves with the valve cross head, means adjustably connecting the central portion of the valve cross head with the removable cross bar of the frame, a limit bolt carried by the valve cross head, and means for adjusting the limit bolt toward and away from the valve head.

8. In a control for liquid fuel burning apparatus, a valve head having valve chambers formed therein, provided with inlet and outlet passageways communicating with the opposite sides of the valve chambers, an oil control valve and a steam control valve slidably mounted in the chambers, each having a port therein, the port in the steam valve being of the same active length as the port in the oil valve but of different width, valve stems formed on the valves, the stem of the steam valve being hollow and the body thereof being provided with a diametrically extending guideway disposed at right angles to its port, a pair of valve gate members having ports therein slidably mounted in the guide way, rack bars formed on the adjustable valve members, an operating rod rotatably mounted in the hollow valve stem, a pinion formed on the operating rod meshing with the rack bars, a hand wheel carried by the operating rod, and means engaging the hand wheel to prevent accidental turning movement thereof.

JOHN W. SHAW. 

